Reports on the problem of biodeterioration of works of art. This didactic text is intended for conservators without specialization in biology and for biologist lacking experience in conservation. The book comprises six chapters: environmental factors in biodeterioration (general principles of ecology, atmospheric factors, pollution effects); mechanisms and phenomenology of biodeterioration (physical processes, chemical processes, aesthetic damage, phenomenology of biological alterations); biodeterioration of organic materials (wood, paper, textiles, leather, parchment, paintings); biodeterioration of inorganic materials (stone and related materials, glass, metals - fungi, bacteria, lichens, lower and higher plants); methods of prevention (indoor and outdoor environments); control measures (mechanical, physical, biological and chemical methods (biocides, insecticides, pesticides), biochemical methods. The work is completed by a glossary of biological terms and an appendix covering elements of general biology, systematics of biodeteriogens, and analysis techniques.